Qigong and the Tai Chi Axis: Nourishing Practices for Body, Mind and Spirit

by Mimi Kuo-Deemer

Reduce stress, release pain and create whole body harmony with this practical introduction to Qigong and the yin/yang balance of Tai Chi, the ancient Chinese arts of 'movement meditation'. From reducing stress and improving posture to balance and general mobility, the many physical and mental benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi are widely celebrated. In this accessible book, Mimi Kuo-Deemer offers practices, insights and wisdom on these arts, and shows us how to support our natural capacity for energy, balance and wellbeing. Qigong's approach is based on the Chinese Five Elements or Phases of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each natural element relates to an organ and meridian system in the body, and Qigong and the Tai Chi Axis will explore each of these elements as they relate to our physical, mental and emotional health. It also will include popular and widely practiced sequences and forms such as the 8 Brocades, Five Animal Frolics, Tai Chi Qigong 18 Forms and Five Element Qigong practices and explore how these lead to wholeness, nourishment and health.Part Wood Nourishing our Roots Part 2: Fire Nourishing the Heart Part 3: Earth Nourishing the Mind Part 4: Metal Nourishing the SpiritPart 5: Water Nourishing our Deepest Wisdom

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Spirituality, Philosophy

259 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2018

About the author

Mimi Kuo-Deemer is dedicated to living, sharing and evolving the art of self-cultivation through yoga, qigong and mindfulness meditation. She champions the balance of playfulness and precision as the best way forward in life, and never underestimates how sitting, breathing and conscious movement can provide the clearest and most compassionate perspective on the messy, complex and often unpredictable job of being human. She is a teacher of both students and of other teachers having practiced and taught meditation and the movement arts for over 20 years in China, the UK, Europe and the United States. In 1994, she graduated from Stanford University and in 2016, she received an MA with distinction from SOAS in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, she lived in China for over 14 years where she worked as a photojournalist as well as acted as co-founder and co-director of Yoga Yard, Beijing's first and leading yoga studio. Mimi now lives in the UK, where she offers classes online at Movement for Modern Life and teaches classes and trainings at triyoga, London's pre-eminent centre for health and wellbeing.
(taken from Amazon.uk)

Reviews

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been practicing Qigong for 6 or 7 years. Mimi Kuo-Deemer is a wonderful teacher and this book, while not the most in-depth, is a perfect companion for those willing to get into Qigong.

[Nadja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mimi Kuo-Deemer writes well and her explanations based on her training, own experience and her deep knowledge of the Dao makes this book a gem to have if you are already practising or wants to practise Qigong. Her knowledge of the Chinese language, for me, makes her writing trustworthy and deeper. I read this book as an auto biography - her own experience - and a practical explanation of the qi gong forms, a trajectory for a meaningful practice.

[Rakhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book promises nourishing practices for Body, Mind and Spirit and it delivers this in spades. This book draws you in with language that is accessible and approachable and fun. The illustrations and images make it a pleasure to follow the practices and the background is fascinating. Qigong is a massive topic but Mimi Kuo-Deemer makes it relevant and easy to understand and follows a beautiful logic incorporating the seasons, the elements and emotions as well as exploring how these relate to the body. The practices are clearly explained and Mimi moves with gentleness and ease from the macrocosm to the microcosm and back again. I love Mimi's ease with language and the reading the book felt like a nourishing practice in itself, helping me as a reader locate myself as a part of nature. I would recommend this book as a brilliant introduction to Qigong and its relevance and application to our lives today. I know it's a book that I will keep returning to again and again and will continue to nourish me for many years to come.

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been an excellent resource for me. Kuo-Deemer's knowledge and good humor shine through. I love the seasonal approach to practice and the many nuggets of wisdom that she shares.

[MaryAnn Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was so compelling and well written that I felt compelled to buy the DVD with the movements. She is so gentle and a delightful teacher.

[Karli Sherwinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I worked through this book along with the author herself as part of my qigong teacher mentorship program. We spent time learning the theory and practices together, and clarified the deeper concepts presented in the book. Mimi writes in a clear, easy to understand way that compels the reader to connect with the material in an embodied way. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in enhancing their personal qigong practice or who wants to learn more about the five elements in Chinese medicine.

[Hank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to enhance your knowledge of Qigong, which can be a game changer in your everyday life! She explains the practice, and its roots and benefits, introduces some movements and breathing techniques to try. I refer to Mimi’s book often and it has been an important part of my Qigong adventure!

[Peter Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for someone new to Qigong such as myself. The instructions and pictures are easy to follow and she shows that you can practice Qigong no matter what your religion/worldview is. Highly recommended.

[Kevin Byers · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book, great way to workout and relax

[Pat Morris-jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s probably 4 and a half but in mood to be generous. Really interesting. Explains a lot. Be nice when I’m ok enough to do physical stuff. Meanwhile the breathing and meditations are interesting.

[SM Zalokar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really lovely complement and study guide to my own practice. Fantastic resource and reference book.

[Victoria Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful manual for qigong practice. Can be combined with her YouTube videos.

[Bharata Satria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku ini menghadirkan empat aliran Qigong sekaligus tapi alih-alih membahas mereka satu persatu, penulisnya menggunakan kerangka lima unsur dari kitab Dao De Jing dan mengelompokkan gerakan-gerakan dari keempat Qigong tadi ke dalam kerangka tersebut. Jadi misalnya ketika membahas unsur api, buku ini merangkum semua gerakan dari keempat Qigong yang berfungsi untuk mengolah unsur api.

Pendekatan ini menarik walaupun saya tidak tahu apakah ada kelebihannya, karena menekuni salah satu Qigong saja kita sudah akan mencakup kelima unsur alam secara lengkap dan tidak perlu melatih aliran Qigong lain. Ketika membaca produk contoh (sample) buku ini di kindle saya berharap akan ada pembahasan rinci tentang gejala yang kita alami bila mengalami ketidakseimbangan salah satu unsur (atau lebih) dan apa yang perlu dilakukan untuk menyeimbangkannya, tapi ternyata tidak ada. Buku ini berfungsi sebagai panduan untuk berlatih Qigong, bukan buku pengobatan Cina yang memaparkan diagnosa dan terapi.

Sisi baiknya, karena gerakan-gerakan dikelompokkan berdasarkan unsur, seorang pelajar bisa mempelajari faktor apa dari gerakan-gerakan tersebut yang membuat mereka efektif untuk mengolah unsur dimaksud, dengan mengenali kesamaan dari semua gerakan.

Buku yang sangat informatif dengan pendekatan yang unik.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing nothing about Qigong, this was an excellent intro. It's clear and well written, and helps set expectations while taking readers step by step thru sequences. These days, video is easy to find, and I suspect most people would prefer that, and may get more out of it than any book on the topic. But, this is still worthwhile and will probably provide more info than you'll find in most vids. Recommended.

I really appreciate the review copy!!

[Lilith Allenspach · Rating 3 out of 5]

great instructions, just, feels like i definitely need some visual guidance because some movements i just couldnt really picture to attempt to do them myself, just from the text and few images. thats obviously a personal preference, the contents of the book are nonetheless awesome.

[Heather Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Qigong and the Tai Chi Axis is a interesting book. It is good for beginners and is easy to understand.